You know the baseball world kind of stops the day the World Series is over and it goes into hibernation.
For me, it kind of just punched me in the face, knocked me unconscious, and I took a little nap.
Then the ground shook, I woke up, and saw Billy Beane standing there at the control of a 500 pound wrecking ball.
Enough with the metaphors.
What the hell is Billy Beane up to now?!
Seriously folks, this man is like a mad scientist in his laboratory and he's mixing up a crazier formula then the last.
Why?
Because he feels like it!
I'm sorry, that was another poor analogy.
The Oakland Athletics have acquired Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies, in exchange for outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, closer Huston Street, and starter Greg Smith.
Wait what?
Okay so, I understand that the Athletics weren't the last team on the list of possible Holliday destinations, but they certainly weren't the first.
I'm pretty convinced of why this deal went down and I don't even need to see it officially announced to understand why.
You see Billy Beane probably has this genius plot that came to him at some point. He thought to himself, "Gee, how can I compete, without actually competing, and also rebuild at the same time?"
Now, I'm not saying that's what Billy Beane actually said to himself. But man that's probably what I would if I were Billy Beane.
If I were Mark Shapiro, I'd probably just make an excel spreadsheet.
See what Billy Beane did was he went out and got himself the ultimate trade chip. He traded a closer who has been used, abused, and also replaced. Sure he did get rid of one his bright young talented outfielders, but is anyone going to lose any sleep over Greg Smith?
Matt Holliday can garner you five Greg Smiths.
Wait what?
Exactly!
If things don't work out to the point where the Oakland Athletics are contending near the trade deadline, they'll go out and get another Greg Smith, an even better Carlos Gonzalez, and probably a much greener Huston Street.
Billy Beane is effectively writing a new chapter of Moneyball.
Trade Player A for three big time prospects, trade two semi-proven players and one big time prospect for Player B, then trade Player B for three more super prospects.
The result?
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about 1 month ago
Beane is a genius. completely crazy at times, but genius.
I will, however, miss Carlos Gonzalez. I am mourning the loss as we speak... but hello, Holliday!
from about 1 month ago
Oh yeah for sure.. I can't believe no one else has thought of this at any point. But if there was anyone that would, I'm not surprised it was Beane.
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